Dual production device



Feb. 27, 'Q w. E. LYND DUAL PRODUCTION DEVICE Filed Aug. 11, 1941 |NvENToR WILL/AM t'. LYND Patented Feb. 2'?, 1945 DUAL PRODUCTION DEVICE William E. Lynd, Longview, Tex., assignor to Lane-Wells Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application Auw 11, 1941, serial' No. e314 (ci. 16s-z) laaim.

My invention relates to dual production devices; that is to devices whereby oil may be produced simultaneously through a tubing string from a lower zone and through the annular space between the tubing string and casing from an upper zone. Among the objects of my invention are:

First, to provide a device of this character which enables the operator to prepare the well for production from each of the zones without interfering with the other, particularly in that the dual production device enables circulation to be had initially between the upper zone, the interior v of the tubing and the annular space between the tubing and casing for the purpose of washing or circulating, or cleaning, so that the oil or gas may ow in, the device providing in particular an arrangement whereby the communication from the upper zone to the interior of the tubing string may be closed after such preparation and swabbing tools lowered through the tubing to the lower zone ior the purpose of cleaning the lower zone by swabbing or suction created within the tubing, the lower zone beingccnditioned while the upper zone is actually on production.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device which is extremely simple and rugged of construction, and readily operated by the usual equipment available at an oil well.

With. the above and other objects in view, as may appear hereinafter, reference is directed to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of my device shown in conjunction with a packer and tubing string, all shown in position within a casing, the latter being shown in section;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of my device substantially through 2-2 of Figure 1, showing the parts in their initial position during circulation or separation of the upper zone for production; a

Figure 3 is a fragmentary. longitudinal sectional view similar to Figure 2 but, showing the parts in the positions assumed when communication is established with the lower zone;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view through 4 4 of Figure 2, showing particularly the key balls which lock the parts in their initial position;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view through 5 5 of Figure 3, showing the circulation ports as they appear when closed; and

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the keeper which initially holds the key balls in place to lock the parts of the device in their initial position.

Myy dual production device, designated generally by I, is adapted to be interposed in a tubing string 2 above a packer 3, either directly connected to the packer or a short distance above. The packer is designed to pack oi between the tubing and the surrounding casing l and is positioned below the perforations 5 in the casing which communicate with the upper of the two zones from which production is desired. The tubing i extends below the packer and communicates with the lower zone.

More particularly, my device includes a mandrel Il, preferably of the same internal diam- .eter as the tubing l and connected by a coupling l2 at its upper end to the tubing and threaded at its lower end for connection to the packer or another tubing coupling.

'I'he mandrel I receives a sleeve I3 which is provided with a bottom spacer Il and atop spacer 'l5v screw-threaded into the ends of the sleeve and slidably mounted around the mandrel so as to hold the sleeve in spaced relation therewith. Adjacent and inward of the spacers are packing glands I6 and l1 which seal the space between the sleeve and the mandrel. The packing glands are preferably of the self-sealing type, that is, the type that are cupped or chevron shaped. and are preferably arranged to seal against movement of uid in either direction along the mandrel and sleeve. The packing glands are separated by an inner sleeve Il.

'I'he top spacer i5 has an enlarged bore at its upper end which, in part, is threaded to receive a collar I9. The collar and top spacer deiine an annular channel 2l which is adapted to register with key openings 2| provided in the mandrel Il. 'I'he key Openings 2| receive key balls 22 which extend into the channel 2l and also project into the mandrel Il. The key balls are initially vheld in place by a keeper designated generally by 23.

The keeper as shown in detail in Figure 6 comprises a keeper body 2| inthe form of a short cylinder fitting within the mandrel Il, the lower portion of which is reduced slightly in diameter to form a shoulder 25 which engages the key balls 22, the smaller diametered portion of the keeper body being adapted to iit between the key balls, while the upper or larger portion of the keeper body is too large to pass between the key balls. The keeper body is hollow and internally threaded at its upper end to receive a guide member 26 which, in turn, receives a stem 21.

The stem 21 is provided with a lower end piece 22 which engages the guide 26 to limit upward movement oithe stem. And` the upper end of the stem is provided with a suitable head 23 for engagement by a conventional retrieving device or ilshing tool. Such retrieving devices are used in conjunction with various types oi.' well tools such as removable core barrels and are adapted to be lowered by a wire line. Sumcient play is provided between the end piece and guide so that the stem may be jarred upwardly to aid in freeing the keeper body from between the key balls.

The mandrel II is provided at a point above the sleeve I3, when the sleeve is held in position by the key balls, with circulation ports 30. These ports are employed initially to provide circulation between the interior` of the tubing string and the annular space between the tubing string and casing 4.

The lower end of the mandrel II is provided with a threaded portion 3| which receives a compression nut 32. Between the compression nut and lower end of the sleeve I3 there is interposed a heavy spring 33 which urges the sleeve upwardly and is initially restrained by the key balls 22.

Operation of my dual production device is as follows: Initially the parts are in the positions shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, that is, the spring is compressed, `the sleeve is in its lower position, held there by the key balls 22 which in turn are held in position by the keeper 23. The tubing, dual production device and packer are lowered to a position in which the packer is below the upper zone from which production is to be obtained, that is, below the perforations 5. The

packer is then set and liquid is circulated between the interior of the tubing string 2 and the annular space between the tubing string and casing, to washout any mud, sand, or the like, and to remove the water, or, if desired, treat the formation with different chemicals for the pur- `pose of preparing it for production. The upper zone is then brought in either through the tubing string or the annular space, that is, production is established from this zone.

Thereafter the keeper 23 is removed by the use of a retrieving device. This releases the key balls, which drop to the bottom of the tubing, allowing the spring 33 to move the sleeve I3 upwardly until the inner or separator sleeve Il covers both the key openings and the circulation ports, as shown in Figure 3. The coupling I2 serves as a stop to locate the sleeve in the desired position. After the parts have assumed the positions shown in Figure 3, that is, after the ports 30 are closed, the lower production zone may be brought in by swabbing through the tubing I. It should be noted that the mandrel II is equal in diameter to the tubing string, so that the production device in no manner interferes with themovement of a swabbing tool, or other tool that may be lowered through the tubing.

Also, it should be noted that the actual increase in outside diameter required for the dual production device is only nominal, so that ample clearance is assured between the device and the well casing.

Various changes and alternate arrangements may be -made within the scope of the appended claim, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in the invention as broadly as the prior art permits.

I claim:

A dual production device for wells comprising a tubular mandrel interposed in a tubing string, circulation ports in the wall of said mandrel, key openings in the wallof said mandrel longitudinally spaced from said circulation ports, a tubular sleeve around said mandrel and movable longitudinally thereof, a pair of packing glands between the interior of said sleeve andthe exterior of said mandrel, said packing glands being longitudinally spaced apart a greater distance than the distance between said circulation ports and said key openings, key' members positioned in said key openings, a removable plug within said mandrel for holding said key members in positions protruding outwardly from the outer wall of said mandrel for engaging and holding said sleeve in a position in which said circulation ports are uncovered, and a compression spring member around said mandrel and arranged, upon removal of said plug, to force said sleeve longitudinally along said mandrel into a position in which one of said packing glands is spaced above and the other is spaced below said circulation ports and key openings.

WILLIAM E. ILYND. 

